Lawyer suggests actions for Armenian POWs release

PanARMENIAN.Net - In a recent statement, Jared Genser, the legal counsel for the family of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, called on the Armenian government to take proactive measures in securing the release of prisoners held in Baku. He outlined several specific actions that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan could undertake to address this issue.

Genser emphasized that the government should prioritize the release of prisoners on its national agenda. He suggested organizing press conferences and publishing articles in leading international media outlets to draw global attention to the plight of the captives. Additionally, he recommended holding meetings with the families of the prisoners and reaching out to international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), urging them to send observers to the ongoing "trials" in Baku.

Another key step proposed by Genser involves appealing to allied countries, particularly those with embassies in Baku, to send representatives to these "trials" and to advocate for the presence of Armenian observers during the proceedings.

The lawyer also underscored the importance of engaging with U.S. leadership, suggesting direct communication with President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as leaders from France and the European Union.

Furthermore, Genser highlighted the necessity for Armenia to continue its legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). He also called for the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to initiate an investigation into the forced displacement of 120,000 Armenian Christians from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

He proposed that Armenia could appeal to global religious organizations to support the Armenian Christians facing persecution.

Lastly, Genser mentioned the importance of reaching out to the United Nations Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasizing their roles in resolving this issue.

In response, Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan cautioned that any public or visible actions regarding the return of prisoners could potentially harm the process. He assured that all necessary steps have been and will continue to be taken to secure the return of compatriots currently facing formal trials in Baku. Simonyan acknowledged the heightened public attention and desire for swift solutions but noted the complexities involved, given the nature of the ongoing trials. He emphasized that efforts and work in this direction are ongoing.

Simonyan also reminded that while over 150 confirmed prisoners have been returned, 23 individuals remain in captivity, including 11 or 12 former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Regarding Ruben Vardanyan, Simonyan stated that all efforts should be made to ensure his return, regardless of any external affiliations he may have had.